Page 564 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

562  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

of a high enough standard to DIRECTORY
carry conventional cars, a 4WD
is essential in wild and remote Car Hire Companies
areas. Motoring organizations and Avis
tourist information centres can Tel 136 333. ∑ avis.com.au
provide information about this. Budget
Some basic safety points Tel 13 27 27. ∑ budget.com.au
should be observed. Plan your
route and carry up-to-date maps Hertz
and navigation and commu- Tel 133 039. ∑ hertz.com.au
nication devices that work in Thrifty
remote areas. If you are travelling Tel 1300 367 227.
between remote destinations, ∑ thrifty.com.au
inform the local police of your State Road
South approach to the Harbour Bridge departure and expected arrival Departments
in Sydney times. Check road conditions
before you start, and carry food Roads and Maritime
Inner-City Driving Services, NSW
and water. Find out where you
If you are planning to drive can get petrol, and carry extra Tel 132 213. ∑ rms.nsw.gov.au
within any city, a GPS or maps supplies if necessary. If you break VicRoads, Victoria
and navigation device is a good down, stay with your vehicle – if Tel 131 171.
idea. If possible, avoid peak- you fail to arrive at the expected ∑ vicroads.vic.gov.au
hour traffic (7:30–9:30am and time, a search party will be sent. Motoring Organizations
4:30–7:30pm). Traffic reports are The Royal Flying Doctor Ser-
broadcast on radio stations. The vice of Australia (RFDS) offers National Roadside
larger the city, the more difficult safety advice. You can also hire Assistance
it will be to park in the centre. radio sets with an emergency Australia-wide breakdown
Parking restrictions are clearly call button to the RFDS from service. Tel 131 111
signposted and usually specify BTW Communications. New South Wales and ACT
an hour or two of metered Observe important guidelines National Road and Motorist’s
parking. Most parking meters to protect the land. Native flora Association (NRMA). Tel 131 122.
∑ mynrma.com.au
require credit card payments. and fauna should not be
Many cities have clearly sign- damaged. Stick to vehicle tracks, Northern Territory
posted clearway and bus zones carry a camping stove and fuel Automobile Association of NT Inc
(AANT). Tel (08) 8925 5901.
that apply at certain times, and to avoid lighting fires, and don’t ∑ aant.com.au
parked vehicles will be towed leave rubbish. Be aware of
away during the specified times; Aboriginal boundaries and nat- Queensland
telephone the local traffic ional parks, and leave gates as Royal Automobile Club of
Queensland (RACQ). Tel 13 19 05.
authority or the police to find you find them: either open or shut. ∑ racq.com.au
an impounded vehicle. Car
parks are also found in city South Australia
centres and shopping centres Hitchhiking Royal Automobile Association of
SA Inc (RAA). Tel (08) 8202 4600.
and are signposted with a large It is not considered safe to hitch- ∑ raa.com.au
white P in a blue rectangle. hike in Australia. In Queensland
and Victoria it is illegal; their laws Tasmania
do not allo
do not allow obstructing traffic w obstructing traffic w obstructing traf
do not allo Royal Automobile Club of
Outback Driving from the roadside. Elsewhere, Tasmania (RACT). Tel 132 722.
∑ ract.com.au
For any Outback travel, first check pedestrians are not allowed on
your route to see if a 4WD is motorways or freeways but are Victoria
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
required. Although some permitted on highways and other (RACV). Tel 13 11 11 or (03) 8792
Outback areas now have roads roads where they can find rides. 4006. ∑ racv.com.au
Western Australia
Royal Automobile Club of WA Inc
(RACWA). Tel 13 17 03. ∑ rac.
com.au
Outback Driving
BTW Communications
Tel 1800 896 929. ∑ btw.com.au
Royal Flying Doctor Service
of Australia
Tel (08) 8238 3333.
∑ flyingdoctor.org.au
Driving a 4WD along the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley